Lausanne 2020: Young athletes smashing it at the Youth Winter Olympic Games
- Published
Freestyle skier Kirsty Muir was Team GB's only individual medallist of the Games, taking a silver in the women's Big Air. That's where an athlete speeds down the slope and shoots off a huge ramp, showing off their best tricks as they fly through the air. Getting as high and as far as possible is really important - as is landing properly! Many of the finalists found the sunny conditions difficult as the melting snow meant they struggled to go fast enough to perform their tricks but Muir delivered three impressive runs. 'I'm super excited, shaking and I'm really pleased with what I put down today," she said.
15-year-old Kirsty, who is a two-time world junior medallist, also had the honour of being Team GB’s flag bearer. Where does she get the confidence to make jumps like this? "I just love being in the air," she says. Great job, Kirsty!
16-year-old Mani Cooper also made history! She became first British female to compete from an Olympic ski jump. She ended in 19th place at the Winter Youth Olympics and said: "It's all about progress, progress, progress and improving. My big aim is to compete at Beijing 2022." We'll be looking out for you, Mani!
Meanwhile, over at the ice hockey arena the teams helped create the best atmosphere at the games. Four young Brits picked up medals competing in a special tournament which saw players from different nations playing together. Amy Roberey and Mack Stewart (above, wearing black) won silver medals.
There was also a silver medal for Mirren Foy (in blue) and Evan Nauth who took took bronze. Many of the athletes at these Games of whom have an eye on a sporting career when they grow up. So how did they get on?
Over at the spectacular setting of St Moritz’s frozen lake, long track speed skater Theo Collins earned a silver medal in the Mixed Team Sprint Final.
While at the short track arena, there was a Mixed Team Relay bronze for Olivia Weedon.
But it wasn't all about Team GB. Arriving at a Youth Olympics as a world champion and multiple X Games medallist comes with a lot of expectation, but 17-year-old Estonian freestyle skier Kelly Sildaru lived up to the hype as she sailed to Slope style gold!
Russia’s figure skaters took home a staggering eight medals out of a possible 12. Here's Diana Mukhametzianova and Ilya Mironov in action - wow!
Kagiyama Yuma from Japan got a surprise win in the men's singles figure skating on Sunday, coming from third place to snatch gold.
- Published20 January 2020
- Published13 January 2020
- Published15 January 2020
